Inside Soap UK 26 - 2021

The news of Janine’s return to EastEnders has really gladdened my heart. With characters who’ve been back and forth over the years, like Janine, you just know that you’re in for a treat when their next return is announced. comes back, they burn so brilliantly brightly… but never for too long. Be it a few months, or a few years – as Janine’s last return was – these characters don’t get the chance to slip “Janine’s return has gladdened my heart!” There’s the fun of their initial arrival, as they ruffle feathers here, there and everywhere. Then into ‘background’ or take on some boring domestic-type life. They are kept brilliantly front and centre, until there’s the fact that the soaps always have a big, juicy plot for them to come…

The Platt family’s ongoing bickering finally pushes Gail over the edge this week, seeing the beleaguered mum and gran suffer a heart attack! The stressed matriarch is trying to keep the peace between her fraught clan when the pressure becomes too much to bear. After weeks spent worried sick about Nick and Sam being in danger, Gail is now trying to cope with Natasha’s rules over who can see the young lad. So, when David meddles, and a huge row erupts, Gail’s health takes a turn for the worse. “It’s a terrifying moment for Gail – she is hit by this intense chest pain and is finding it hard to breathe,” warns our Weatherfield insider. “It’s little Sam who finds her and raises the alarm, and the Platts finally rally…

Sarah’s horror over Nick selling Underworld turns to joy by the end of the week, when Adam offers to buy the shares for her. It hadn’t even occurred to Sarah that she might be in a position to make Nick an offer, but Adam’s seen the graft his wife has put into the factory, and wants to help make her business dreams come true. So when Adam tells her his plan, Sarah is over the moon. The idea of running her own business without the likes of Nick or Carla holding her back due to their chaotic personal lives is exciting – while for Adam, it’s great to finally be able to do something for his wife after letting her down so many times. Will Nick agree to sell his…

Birthday girl Linda isn’t in the mood for a celebration this week, as a gift from her child-stealing ex Max leaves her with a dilemma. And matters are only made worse when she walks in on two parties being thrown – one for her and one for her baby – and she doesn’t want to attend either of them! It’s been a tough time for Linda and Mick, with most people unaware that Linda is expecting Max’s baby. The news that Max has absconded with little Abi – leaving Rainie heartbroken – weighs heavily on Linda, who knows that she is carrying his child. So, when oblivious Frankie offers to throw a party for Linda, she turns her down flat. “Linda’s trying to keep a low profile, as she finds…

It looks as though Shirley has found herself a new love rival in Kathy this week, as both women grow increasingly close to charming newcomer Rocky. It’s been a while since Shirley was in the dating game, but she has a great time with Rocky as they laugh and joke at Linda’s party. For Shirl, there’s a real spark there, and it’s obvious that she’d like to take it further. But once Kathy walks into the Vic, Rocky turns his attentions to her. Poor Shirley is left hanging as Rocky goes all out to flirt with Kathy, and it’s obvious that he’s totally smitten with the Beale beauty. It’s not the first time that Shirley’s lost out to a glamorous rival, and she’d be forgiven for being fed up at…

Poor Faith is forced to confront her worst fear this week, as she worries that her cancer may have returned. However, as Faith refuses to confide in her fellow Dingles, loyal Pollard is her only lifeline of support – spelling more drama for his relationship with Brenda… “Faith really feels as though the cancer is back, and she doesn’t want to worry her family,” explains actress Sally Dexter, who plays Chas and Cain’s eccentric mum. “Faith is quite a proud lady, and she would like for her children to accept her again because they genuinely want to, and not just because they feel sorry for her. So, Faith turns to Pollard, whose friendship she is really grateful for – but it causes high drama!” “Brenda gets the wrong idea and…